August 2022

Suffering from a broken ankle is an unfortunate reality that some individuals might have to face at some point in their lives. Broken, or fractured, ankles occur when a person twists or rolls their ankle joint, putting their weight on the ankle in an awkward way that leads to injury. Broken ankles can also occur after a heavy object is dropped on the ankle. If you have a broken ankle, you might experience a range of symptoms from pain and swelling at the affected joint to bruising and tenderness. In less serious instances, broken ankles may be treated with braces or casts. In more severe cases, broken ankles can be treated with surgical procedures. Recovery time for a broken ankle varies according to the specific case. Generally speaking, recovery can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks, and possibly longer. When individuals are recovering from this kind of injury, they typically can not put weight on their feet, and must therefore use a mobility device such as crutches. If you have a broken or fractured ankle, it is imperative that you contact a podiatrist who can help you address the problem.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail is easy to notice. The side of the toenail grows into the skin instead of over it. It can be quite uncomfortable, and in severe cases, may bleed, and become infected. It can happen for a variety of reasons, such as wearing shoes that do not have enough room in the toe area, having endured a toe injury, or from trimming the toenails improperly. Genetic reasons may contribute to getting an ingrown toenail, and this may account for people who naturally have curved toenails, or have toenails that are too large for their toes. Common symptoms that are associated with ingrown toenails include redness, swelling, and pain. The affected toe may temporarily feel better when it is soaked in warm water, which can soften the nail. This may make it easier to pull the skin away from the toe, despite the fact it may not last. If you have an ingrown toenail, there is a chance it can become infected, and it is strongly advised that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can offer professional treatment. 

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can affect the overall health of your foot. A group of muscles, along with nerves and blood vessels, is contained in a band of tissue called a compartment. The fascia around the muscles does not expand, so if it sustains an injury it may bleed or swell. This causes pressure to build up, which cuts off the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscle. Muscles can become permanently damaged if not treated quickly. There are two types of compartment syndrome, acute and chronic. Acute compartment syndrome is usually the result of a fracture. It also can be caused by trauma, a bruised muscle, a severe sprain, or even a cast or bandage that is too tight. Chronic compartment syndrome is caused by repetitive activity, and is more common among runners, especially those over 40. It differs from the acute syndrome because the pressure occurs only during the activity and recedes when it stops. Chronic, also called long-term, compartment syndrome can affect activity and endurance, but rarely endangers the muscles. To confirm a diagnosis of compartment syndrome, please see a podiatrist for an examination. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel spurs can be a pesky annoyance that may keep a runner off of the running track. Heel spurs are essentially bony outgrowths that can develop on the bottom of the heel facing inward. These heel spurs are typically made up of calcium deposits and they can cause discomfort. If you are diagnosed with heel spurs and cannot wait to get back on the running track, there are several things to keep in mind. Before running again, you can take extra care of your plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs from your heel to your toes. You might do this by slowly and gently rolling a cold water bottle underneath your feet while in a seated position. You can do this one foot at a time. You might also perform heel drops carefully to slowly rebuild the muscles in your feet. Heel drops can be particularly helpful in targeting the plantar fascia and the calf muscles. Lastly, if you are cleared by a medical professional to begin running again, it is suggested to start slowly and cautiously. If you are a runner who has or is recovering from heel spurs, consider contacting a podiatrist who can help you.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Taking care of your feet is an integral component of maintaining your overall well-being. However, there are a number of rare foot conditions that can make it especially difficult for you to care for your feet. Although these conditions are rare, it can be helpful to learn more about them in case you ever must identify them in yourself or a loved one. Kohler’s disease is one kind of rare foot condition. This affliction is most common in young boys between the ages of 2 and 10. It occurs primarily when the navicular bone, located between the ankle and heel, does not grow properly. Specifically, the navicular bone can become essentially flattened, which can lead to swelling and pain, sometimes making it difficult to walk. Typically, a child with Kohler’s disease will only exhibit this condition in one foot, as opposed to both feet. To properly diagnose Kohler’s disease, a medical professional might have to perform an X-ray. Treating Kohler’s disease might involve using a cast and, if the child is old enough, giving the child crutches to walk on while the condition subsides. If you think that your child might have Kohler’s disease, it may be a good time to contact a podiatrist. 

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Grobowski Foot & Ankle. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Issaquah, WA, . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.